Thanks to James and Ashley - another really interesting "meet the team".

Firstly congrats on the "Damocles" vid. It's probably the best visual attractor for the whole game. Superb, and if the gameplay comes even close, I'll have to be forced to switch off and leave the game.

Comics: well a lot of 200AD stuff is great: all things Dredd of course, Rogue Trooper and Strontium Dog. Too much choice really.

I can't stress this enough: I'm *really* pleased that you guys are putting serious effort in trying to go for realism (as much as possible). That's going to give E: D a very pleasing, individual and distinctive style. I think it's going to be one of the (many) things that sets E: D aside from the rest. After all, you can't be the best by copying tired old and hackneyed ideas.

Lens flare effects: I have my personal opinion on them, possibly coloured by their overuse in film and tv, so I'm interested to see where their use in E: D is on the "too much/subtle/off" scale is.

"...and I think everyone has been surprised by the high standard of VFX on ED."

Nope, they are pretty much where I have expected them to be...actually I'm still expecting a bit more. There is a good reason why I've been so excited about this game since a saw a tweet about their KS launching.

Blueberry
Concrete
Ghost In The Shell
Hellboy (Library Editions)
Lone Wolf & Cub
The Life and Times of Martha Washington in the Twenty-First Century
Planetary
Preacher
Usagi Yojimbo
Y: The Last Man

This left out some serious contenders, both superhero-type and more down to earth/serious or heavy stories, such as Powers, Watchmen, Sandman, Love & Rockets, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, Sin City, Maus, Black Hole... and this list is endless.
While Alan Moore is recognised as the master of comics writers, I'd be hesitant to recommend anything other than the League of Extra-Ordinary Gentlemen as a starter (even though my favourites are Promethea or From Hell) - lots of his work really works best when your knowledge of comics and their tropes is extensive.
And there are many, many ongoing characters that are worthy of a looksee, like Dredd.

But if I had to recommend just one, then it would be: AKIRA by Katsuhiro Otomo.

Never been a comic fan but I read graphic comic once in a library and the memory of it has never left me. The character was called Lobo, and he had just decimated and entire planet or something, and was some sort of psychopath.. Its style and grittiness was incredible. That was a long time ago..

It was darkly humored but would recommend

If we are talking anime, my favourite is 3x3 eyes and Laputa - island in the sky. and not many have such incredible music scores. Some great stuff there James Just provided some interesting links.. you'd need to check them out further for the nitty gritty.

Without a doubt, Elite is an absolutely huge undertaking. The level of detail that is needed to make the experience feel immersive and real is at times mind boggling

I can tell you now that the game has already matched and exceeded the visuals in the video. It is starting to look truly stunning.

All of the ships that I have seen being worked on for this game look absolutely stunning. The level of thought and detail put in to them is mind blowing and each one feels unique to look at and to pilot.

This game will be very impressive and a delight for the eyes

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your enemy burst in to a ball of flames after a tense dog fight

As to what role, definitely a Pirate! I can just imagine the tense moment before I fly out from within an asteroid field and ambush a lone trader to steal the goods that I spotted them exchanging in the previous system!